With the onset of the new year, many people are already anticipating their next opportunity for relaxation and fun—bank holidays. For those residing in England and Wales, 2025 promises to be filled with eight designated bank holidays, presenting plenty of chances to unwind throughout the year. It all kicks off with New Year’s Day on January 1, setting the stage for what many hope will be jam-packed holidays.
The upcoming bank holiday schedule will have its second holiday more than three weeks after New Year’s, on Good Friday, April 18. The subsequent Monday, April 21, brings Easter Monday, meaning those who can take advantage of these dates could enjoy two consecutive days off work. After April, the next bank holiday is Early May, coming on May 5, with another holiday following on May 26 for the Spring Bank Holiday.
Bank holidays don’t just provide the excuse to relax; with some planning, they can be strategically combined with annual leave to maximize time away from the office. A calculated approach may allow savvy employees to double their time off—possibly getting up to 58 days free from work throughout the year. This scenario assumes they do not work weekends and utilize their annual leave intelligently.
For example, by taking full advantage of the Easter holidays, one can enjoy as many as 16 days off with just eight days of annual leave. Booking leave from April 14-17 followed by April 22-25, combined with weekends and the bank holidays themselves, sets the stage for this hefty break. Similarly, May offers another chance for long weekends. Scheduling just eight days off during this month could let you funnel holiday time effectively.
Much excitement surrounds the less busy summer months, with the Summer Bank Holiday set for August 25. If you have remaining leave, simply taking off August 26-29 could stretch just four days of leave across nine consecutive days. Talk about summer fun!
Come December, there’s yet another opportunity to enjoy the holidays fully. Intelligent holiday planning could yield 13 days off using just six days of annual leave. A strategic booking plan encompassing December 22-24 and then December 29-31 will help facilitate this sizeable time gap, just prior to the New Year.
The question of whether to introduce additional bank holidays, such as one to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, has also stirred discussions among the public. Surveys indicate considerable support—73% of individuals polled back the idea of marking this historic occasion with a public holiday. It’s yet to be seen if the government will act on this sentiment, as previous confirmations suggest no new bank holiday will be implemented for this year.
For those curious about the specific dates designated as bank holidays, the complete lineup for 2025 includes:
- Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Friday, April 18 – Good Friday
- Monday, April 21 – Easter Monday
- Monday, May 5 – Early May bank holiday
- Monday, May 26 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 25 – Summer bank holiday
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Friday, December 26 – Boxing Day
This extensive planning surrounding bank holidays stands as more than just casual conversation; it showcases the shift toward work-life balance and the collective attitude aiming for extended, enriching experiences during the year.
To get the most out of 2025, being proactive about leave requests is key. Not only does this prevent last-minute scrambles when trying to book holidays, but it also ensures you get the desired time off. After all, holiday season planning doesn’t just involve counting days—it’s about making them count!
So as the busy work week resumes, keep these dates bookmarked, and don’t forget to strategize. The next long weekend may just be around the corner, providing the perfect opportunity to recharge or explore new adventures.